Maytag Electric Dryer Troubleshooting

A Maytag dryer will last for many years with proper maintenance. As with all appliances, parts wear out and the dryer does not operate as it should. A dryer that stops working can be repaired by the do-it-yourself homeowner. Find out what is causing the problem. Once the problem part has been identified, it is just a matter of replacing or repairing it.

Dryer Will Not Run

It sounds obvious, but make sure that the circuit breaker has not tripped. The electrical load from a dryer will occasionally cause the circuit breaker to trip. Go the the electrical panel box and reset the breaker if necessary.

Make sure that the door is closed. If the dryer door is not closed, the dryer will not operate. If the door is closed, the door switch or actuator may be broken. Check the actuator by opening the door and looking for the protruding plastic actuator. If it is broken, replace it with a new one. The actuator and switch are sold together, so replace both parts.

Dryer Will Not Heat Up

A dryer producing no heat may have a faulty heating element. Refer to the owner's manual for accessing the heating element. Remove the element and test it with a volt-ohm meter. Touch a probe to each of the terminals and see if there is any continuity. If there is none, the element is bad and needs to be replaced.

On some models, there is a thermal fuse located in the exhaust duct. If the dryer overheats, the fuse blows and the dryer will no longer heat up. The fuse is accessible through a back cover inside the heating duct. It is in a white casing. Check the fuse and if it has blown, replace it with a new one.

Clothes Still Damp

Damp clothes will indicate that the dryer vent and duct work need to be cleaned. The moisture created by the heat is not escaping through the vents. Remove the duct work from the dryer and outside vent. Clean the duct work, the outside vent and the dryer exhaust.

If the dryer duct work is inside a wall, a couple of special tools will be needed to thoroughly clean the duct work. A duct lint brush with an extended handle and electrician's tape are available at most hardware stores. Simply run the brush through the length of the duct work, using the electricians tape. Once clean, your clothes should dry normally.